Film
Oscar Hype: Lost in Translation
Craig Gaffney :: Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 11:30 am
The month of February ushers in the annual onslaught of Oscar hype. Over the next twenty-six days, you’re likely to encounter more “film aficionados” and endure more nauseating cinematic conversations than any socially-adjusted individual is engineered to withstand. In fact, best prepare yourself as this year promises to be twice as daunting now that the “Best Picture” category has been extended from 5 to 10 nominees.
It’s as if each year during this brief window, the stigma is lifted and we begin to surface (from the depths of our parent’s basements) to not only partake in, but spearhead the cultural debate. Don’t get me wrong, I make it a point to go see as many as the next nerd. However, this year I’m genuinely more jazzed to see two films that for lack of 3-D, Sandra Bullock, and the English language for that matter; are likely to fly under the radar.
1.) Terribly Happy (Denmark): The official Danish submission; though unfortunately not among the five nominees selected this year to contend for “Best Foreign Language Film.” Try to imagine if the Cohen brothers had gotten a hold of Hot Fuzz. Intriguing to say the least, but I’ll let the trailer speak for itself. Currently playing in select theaters.
2.) A Prophet (France): Listen, I know what you’re thinking…“the French are assholes!” Yet this film has not only secured its bid within the foreign language category, its already being hailed as an epic crime drama akin to that of The Godfather (The London Times). The story follows a 19-year-old Arab man sentenced to a French prison, as he carves out a name for himself amid an organized crime syndicate. Set to release February, 26th in select US cities.
Eat it, Avatar!
Festivals, Film, News
Sundance at a Theater Near You
Danielle Johnsen :: Thursday, January 28th, 2010 1:00 pm
So you couldn’t afford a ski chalet and a trip to Park City this year? Miss out on all the celebrity sightings and killer parties? Oh, you were just interested in the films premiering there? Well, you are in luck then. Sundance is headed to a city near you. Tonight, eight theaters in cities across America will get the chance to view and discuss some of the more critically favored films of the festival. The filmmakers and producers will be on hand to chat a bit about the process behind their films and the audience will get a closer look at what its really like to see a film in a festival setting, just without the gifting suites and parties. This is a new addition to the festival’s program and is being done in the hopes of broadening the awareness of both the festival and the films it celebrates.
Full list of films, filmmakers and venues after the jump. MORE »
Film, News
Banksy Premieres “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” May or May Not Have Attended Sundance
Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 12:30 pm
Oh Banksy, you never cease to entertain. On January 24th at the Sundance Film Festival, the infamous British street artist debuted “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” a documentary which he describes as a “street art disaster film” and whose namesake pokes fun at Disney Land/World’s evil, albeit ingenious marketing strategy of forcing patrons to exit through their gift shops. Although Banksy does (allegedly) make his first ever appearance in the film, his face is blurred and his voice is garbled. And just because he likes to fuck with us, it has been reported that he may or may not have attended the premiere. He did, however, issue the following statement to Sundance Programming Director, John Cooper: MORE »
Film, News
My Bloody Valentine, Oasis, Primal Scream - Upcoming Film
Colm McAuliffe :: Friday, January 15th, 2010 2:30 pm
Creation Records, the legendary record label and home to the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Oasis, Primal Scream and the Jesus & Mary Chain, is to have its drink and drug fuelled story made into a film entitled Upside Down, due out later this year.
Film
Ivan Reitman Returns to Direct Ghostbusters 3
Matt Kiebus :: Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 5:15 pm
Now the hype can officially begin to build. Ivan Reitman, the director of the first two Ghostbuster films, is returning to the director’s chair to complete the trifecta. This is the first concrete news confirming the rumors of the return of the Ghostbuster franchise. The world now waits to see if the comedic legends Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis dust off their proton packs. Hopefully they don’t add to the trend of ruining original 80s film classics with half-assed sequels (cough Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull cough). I’m not bitter.
Film
The Film That Will Out-Gross Avatar
Isaac Lekach :: Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 9:00 am
I have been waiting with baited breath for this. Finally, it is here. And now my heart will go on.
Film
Ben Stiller in Greenberg (March, 12th)
Craig Gaffney :: Monday, January 11th, 2010 5:50 pm
At the rate we’re inundated with Ben Stiller films, one can easily grow tired of him (seriously, check out this Focker’s resume). Whether that’s the case or you actually admire his Sam Jackson-like work ethic…his upcoming role as the title character in Greenberg, from indie director Noah Baumbach (The Squid & The Whale), appears to be a far cry from what we’ve come to expect.
It’s been awhile since Stiller last strayed from slap-stick (2001’s The Royal Tenenbaums), though his neurosis-laden demeanor seems rather fitting as a forty-something loafer desperately clinging to…well absolutely nothing.
Let us not forget that for every Night at the Museum/Madagascar sequel, the man’s also responsible for bringing some truly irreverent characters to the table. I “wonder” if mainstream America has forgotten just how funny he really is?
Film
Review: The Men Who Stare At Goats
Stephen Blackwell :: Friday, November 6th, 2009 2:45 pm
As a New Yorker, I see a homeless Vietnam vet begging on the street at least once a week, if not every day. It’s the war that destroyed presidencies, divided our country, and left a great deal of soldiers paralyzed, destitute, and drug-addled.
The social movements and public unraveling of politicians as a result of our country’s failure in Vietnam have been well documented in popular culture. Perhaps too much. But how Vietnam effected the military’s top brass has always been a bit of a mystery. Apparently Vietnam really spooked ‘em, so much so that they green-lighted programs to train soldiers to walk through walls, become invisible, control the minds of their adversaries, and kill goats by staring at them. MORE »
Film
Spike Jonze & Kanye West’s Short Film
Isaac Lekach :: Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 3:15 pm
There’s a video floating around where Spike Jonze slaps Kanye West during the making of their short We Were Once A Fairytale. The behind the scenes footage, while staged, requires far less patience than the short film does. Click here to see it. Find WWOAF after the jump. If you’re going to watch the film we recommend fast forwarding to the seven minute mark. No offense Jonze, but there’s only so much West we can stomach-that said, we rather enjoyed watching him disembowel himself.
Film, News
Wes Anderson’s New Yorker Profile
Stephen Blackwell :: Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 3:00 pm
Wes Anderson is profiled in the November 2 edition of The New Yorker, which is on stands now. The profile is eight and a half pages long and is interrupted by seven pages of advertising. That’s almost a one-to-one ratio, so you know the profile is important. The article focusses on Anderson’s critical successes, his box office failures, which number three of five movies, and his experience working completely in stop animation on his new film, of which the production designer, Nelson Rowly, explained was filled with “unconventional choices.” What else should we expect?
Film
Sherlock Holmes: Too Soon?
Isaac Lekach :: Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 12:56 pm
A new preview for Warner Bros.’ Sherlock Holmes was just released. Click here to watch it. The film won’t be released until Christmas Day, but boy am I excited. Everyone’s been hyped on Robert Downey Jr.’s since Iron Man-and rightfully so. That guy can act. We’re all glad he got his shit together. And while Guy Ritchie, the film’s director, has gotten more press for his divorce from Madonna than his films, Holmes looks like a return to form for him. Downey, Law, McAdams, action, adventure. What more can you ask for this Christmas? I guess I’d like a jetpack, now that I think of it.
Film
Shins singer James Mercer’s Film Debut
Isaac Lekach :: Thursday, September 24th, 2009 5:27 pm
James Mercer of the Shins is making his acting debut in a movie called Some Days Are Better Than Others with former Sleater-Kinney singer Carrie Brownstein. It’s hard to tell what the film is about, but we do know it has dogs and slowly-delivered dialogue. Check out the trailer after the jump. The film’s release date has not yet been announced. Click here for more information.
Film
Trailer: Adventures Of Power
Isaac Lekach :: Thursday, August 27th, 2009 4:17 pm
By now everyone knows Jeremy Piven’s character on Entourage, Ari Gold, is based on super agent (and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel’s brother) Ari Emanuel. A lesser known fact is that the character was named after star Adrian Grenier’s best friend. Yup, it’s true. And now with Adventures Of Power, the real Ari Gold, is hoping to make a name for himself. Gold wrote, directed and starred in this movie. Looks like someone was inspired by Napoleon Dynamite.
